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Mystery Monday | Charles Francois Xavier Voiland

My 3rd great grandfather, Charles Francois Xavier Voiland, emigrated to the United States from Essert, France. He, his wife Adelaide (Perrin), and 5 of their children arrived at Castle Garden, on board the William Tell, on December 3rd, 1857. Charles’ name has also appeared in family records as Jean Baptiste Voiland. It seams that he used both names.

I’m trying to find out where Charles and his family eventually settled. I believe they initially made their way to Buffalo, NY. Daughters Celia, Philomene, Adel and Magdalena are listed in the 1860 Census as living in Buffalo. Another daughter, Julia, is listed in the 1879 Buffalo Census. I can’t find Charles in the Buffalo census.

I do believe that Charles (Jean Baptiste) and Adelaide came to, and lived in, Wisconsin. There is a John and Adiel Welling in the 1870 US Census for Royalton, Waupaca Co., WI. I believe that this may be Charles and Adelaide. They are living next door to Magdalena (Voiland) Roman, who would be their daughter. The name “John” is the English spelling of “Jean”. The ages listed also make sense with the birth dates I have for them.

Most of the Voiland family changed their names to “Weller”. Charles’ son Joseph went by the names of Joseph Voiland and Joseph Weller. I can imagine a census taker trying to decipher a Frenchman pronouncing Voiland or Weller.

So, if John and Adiel Weller are indeed Charles (Jean) and Adelaide Voiland, what happened to them? I wonder when they died and where they are buried. Magdalena, and her brother, Joseph, who also lived in the area, are both buried in nearby Manawa. I haven’t found a record of Charles and Adelaide there or anywhere else in the area.

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2 thoughts on “Mystery Monday | Charles Francois Xavier Voiland”

There is a Charles Weller(b.1870-d.1953) buried at Rural Cemetery, Waupaca Co. along with several other Wellers. After some research into my own family tree, there seems to be some connection to Royalton and Manawa.

Charles is not from the same Weller family. From what I can find, his father, John Alonzo Weller was born in 1823 with the surname of “Weller”. My Wellers did not change their name until the mid to late 1800’s. Thanks!